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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  5. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  6. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. False peace will not ________________.
  17. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. nail — on a finger
  5. chair — to sit on
  6. last — finally
  7. plane — a tool
  8. suit — to fit
  9. trunk — of a car
  10. suit — in cards
  11. object — a thing
  12. object — to protest
  13. suit — clothes
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. last — to go on
  17. chair — a professorship
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. stock — shares
  21. object — an aim
  22. chair — a leader
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. last — final

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com